If anyone – from anywhere – was ever – only remotely – interested in internet marketing, I can bet you a thousand bucks that the one thing they must have heard is SEO!
SEO… I mean, the word itself is so overused it’s probably The Greatest Cliche of all time in
Digital marketing realms…
Just typing ‘SEO’ in Google gives you THREE billion SIX hundred SEVENTY million results. Get the picture, no? Type again on Indeed, showing 11,000 US-based companies are
looking for SEOs actively; let that sink in for a moment!
So if SEO is ‘The Holy Grail of digital Marketing’ and companies invest thousands of $$ you
should do it, too, right?
Well, the reality is somewhere in the middle and not that simple!
But after being an SEO for longer than a decade, let me give you some straight dope –
without being a snake oil merchant, of course. Let’s get started.
The Question is… Why Does SEO Take Time?
There are two main reasons:
- First, SEO is a long-term strategy. Don’t expect to see results overnight. It takes time for search engines to crawl and index your website and for your content to rank higher.
- Second, it’s a continuous process. It’s not something you do once and forget about. You must constantly update and improve your website’s content, structure, and technical aspects to maintain and improve your rankings.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: what should I do then?
Manage Impatient Client’s Expectations
Here are a few strategies that have worked for me as a small business owner besides totally relying on SEO for generating sales.
Hire an SEO Agency or Freelancer
Outsourcing your SEO to a professional can be an excellent investment if you have the budget.
According to a study by HubSpot, companies that publish 16+ blog posts per month get almost 3.5 times more traffic than companies that publish 0-4 monthly posts. So, what do we get from this? That, ‘Consistency is the Key.’
Despite this, they have the expertise and resources to optimize your website and content strategy for search engines by freeing up your time so you can focus on other essential aspects of your business.
Focus on the Basics of SEO
While there are many intricate details of SEO, focusing on the basics can still make a big impact. This includes optimizing your website’s metadata, creating quality content with relevant keywords, and building backlinks.
Though these tasks take less time than more advanced SEO strategies, they are a terrific way to manage your impatient clients.
Use SEO Tools and Software
In this day and age, having a solid online presence is crucial for the success of any business, and let me tell you that SEO is a vital part of that equation.
Tools like Google Analytics can help you track the number of visitors, where they are coming from, and how long they stay on your site. This information can help you make informed decisions about optimizing your site to attract more traffic and keep visitors engaged.
At this point, you might be thinking that you know all. But that is just not it, friend.
There’s more to it!
Keep on reading.
So, we believe that Underpromising and Overdelivering are the keys to not just meeting but exceeding client expectations.
Educate Your Clients
I feel like one of the sole reasons small business owners struggle with SEO patience is that they do not understand the amount of work required to see the expected results. When running a digital marketing agency, one of the keys to keeping clients happy is ensuring they understand how SEO works, how long it takes, and what kind of results they can expect.
Around 75% of SEO professionals agree that it takes at least 4-6 months to see significant results from SEO campaigns. So – set realistic timelines before starting the SEO campaign. Also, communicate clearly with the client about the time it will take to see results. Be transparent about the timeline, the process, and the potential challenges you might have to do along the way for optimization.
Add Case Studies
Have you ever wondered how to make your SEO campaigns more effective and drive better results?
Well..let me tell you how.
By adding SEO case studies.
Let’s say you’re an SEO agency looking to attract new clients. You could create a case study that showcases how you helped a previous client achieve a significant increase in website traffic and search engine rankings.
By highlighting the specific strategies and tactics you used to achieve those results, you can demonstrate your expertise and show potential clients what they can expect when working with your agency. A B2B Technology Marketing Community study found that using case studies as part of a lead generation strategy can increase conversion rates by up to 70%.
The case study is a powerful piece of evidence that can help convince potential clients to choose your agency over competitors who may not have the same experience or track record of success.
Show Progress Reports
Yes, you read that right.
Showing progress reports regularly is what you need to give to your impatient clients.
I know what you’re going to say next. You already have a lot on your plate and don’t need a cherry on top of all this.
Well… I’ll just let these statistics speak for themselves.
According to a survey by Moz, 61% of clients feel that clear communication from their SEO agency is the most crucial factor in a successful campaign. Regular progress reports can help ensure everyone is on the same page and reduce even slight chances of misunderstandings.
Managing these scenarios and client expectations requires strong communication skills and a deep understanding of the SEO process.
That is why I recommend digital marketing agencies be transparent about the timeline for seeing results, educate small business owners about the SEO process, and provide regular progress reports.
Wrapping Up
Don’t let a lack of time keep you from improving your small business’s SEO!
I know it may seem a bit overwhelming atm, but there are simple steps you can take to optimize your website and attract more customers.
So, here’s the deal!
Start by prioritizing the essential SEO elements, like creating valuable content and optimizing your meta descriptions. If you’re still struggling to find time, consider outsourcing your SEO to us.
And I am damn serious about it!
So, do think about it, and you know where to find us. 😉
